Lens solutions · Implantable lens
EVO ICL: vision correction without removing tissue
Reviewed by Rajesh Khanna, MD
EVO ICL is a thin implantable Collamer lens placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of your natural lens. It corrects nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, without removing corneal tissue, and it can be removed or replaced if needed. It is often a choice for higher prescriptions or thinner corneas.
How it works
What EVO ICL is
LASIK, SMILE and PRK reshape the cornea. EVO ICL adds a lens instead. The implantable Collamer lens works like a contact lens that stays inside the eye, so there is nothing to clean or take out.
The EVO design has a small central port that lets fluid flow naturally inside the eye. In most cases this removes the need for a laser iridotomy before surgery. Your measurements decide whether you need one.
Because no tissue is removed, the cornea keeps its natural shape and strength. If your eyes change later in life, the lens can be removed, for example during future cataract surgery.
Compare
EVO ICL vs LASIK vs SMILE Pro
| Feature | EVO ICL | LASIK | SMILE Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Adds a lens inside the eye | Reshapes the cornea under a flap | Reshapes the cornea through a small incision |
| Corneal tissue removed | None | Yes | Yes |
| Reversible | Yes, the lens can be removed | No | No |
| Thin corneas | Often suitable | Often not suitable | Depends on measurements |
| Monthly cost | From about $167 per eye for 24 months | About $99 per eye for 24 months | $150 per eye for 24 months |
Candidacy
Are you a candidate for EVO ICL?
Precise measurements of the space inside your eye decide whether EVO ICL is safe for you and which lens size you need.
Often a good fit
- Nearsightedness, including prescriptions too high for laser
- Corneas too thin or irregular for LASIK or SMILE
- Dry eyes, or a wish to avoid corneal nerve disruption
- A stable prescription
- Enough space inside the eye, confirmed by measurement
May not be right, or not yet
- A shallow front chamber or not enough space for the lens
- A prescription that is still changing
- Certain eye conditions such as uncontrolled glaucoma or inflammation
- Pregnancy or nursing
- Early cataract, where a lens-replacement option may be better
Procedure day
Your EVO ICL journey
Measure
A detailed exam and lens measurements, usually 1–2 weeks before surgery. A laser iridotomy is done only if needed.
Numb
Numbing drops, and calming medicine if you want it.
Place the lens
Through a tiny incision of about 3 mm, the folded lens is inserted and unfolds into position. The procedure takes about 20 minutes.
Go home
Rest at home that day. Your first follow-up is the next day.
Recovery
Recovery
Many patients notice clearer vision within about a day. Follow Dr. Khanna’s written drop and activity schedule.
Surgery day
Rest at home.
Next day
Follow-up visit.
Days 2–3
Most people return to work.
About 1 week
Exercise usually resumes once you are cleared.
Call the surgical team right away for increasing pain, sudden vision loss, marked redness or discharge.
Benefits and risks
The honest version
Why people consider EVO ICL
- No corneal tissue removed
- Removable or replaceable
- Treats prescriptions too high for laser
- An option for thin corneas
- The lens material blocks UV light
What no one can promise
EVO ICL is intraocular surgery. Possible risks include raised eye pressure, inflammation, infection, glare or halos, a lens that needs repositioning or a size exchange, earlier cataract formation and, rarely, problems that threaten vision.
Careful measurement and follow-up reduce these risks. We cannot promise perfect vision or freedom from glasses for everyone.
Your surgeon
The technology is advanced. The judgment is personal.
Rajesh Khanna, MD is a UCLA clinical instructor with 25+ years in practice and 25,000+ vision procedures.
At your visit, Dr. Khanna decides whether surgery is the right choice, which procedure fits your eyes, and how to manage the result. Patients who trust him include actress Brenda Song and Corbin Bleu.
"I've operated on my own mother, my wife and my son." (Dr. Khanna)
About Dr. KhannaCost and financing
What EVO ICL costs
| Option | Per eye, per month |
|---|---|
| EVO ICL (Westlake Village) | About $167 for 24 months |
| EVO ICL (Beverly Hills) | $250 for 24 months |
Monthly amounts are for qualified applicants through our financing partners. Approval, APR and terms are set by the lender, not by Khanna Vision Institute.
Westlake Village and Beverly Hills are priced differently. Your VIP consult confirms where your surgery will be done. Our procedure prices include all exams, measurements, surgeon’s and anesthetist’s fees, implant fees where applicable, 24 months of follow-up, all fine-tunings and enhancements, dry eye care, YAG where applicable, and the drops needed for surgery.
We have dropped, and will continue to drop, HMO and optical (vision) insurance plans. For questions about a specific plan, call (310) 482-1240.
Vision questionnaire
Take the 2-minute vision quiz
Four quick questions point you to the options Dr. Khanna will look at first. No name, email or phone needed, and your answers stay on this page.
EVO ICL questions
Can I feel the EVO ICL?
No. It sits behind your iris, where you can’t see or feel it, much like your natural lens.
Can EVO ICL correct astigmatism?
Yes. The toric EVO ICL corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism together. Your measurements show whether you need the toric version.
Is EVO ICL permanent?
It is designed to stay in place long-term, but it can be removed or replaced if your needs change.
What happens if I need cataract surgery later?
EVO ICL doesn’t stop you from having cataract surgery. The lens can be removed during that surgery.
How much does EVO ICL cost?
EVO ICL is about $167 per eye per month for 24 months in Westlake Village, or $250 per eye per month for 24 months in Beverly Hills, for qualified applicants through our financing partners.
Is the first visit a VIP consult?
Yes. EVO ICL starts with a VIP consult, a surgery consultation focused on candidacy, in-office or virtual. It is not a full eye exam.
VIP consult
Request your VIP consult
Your first visit is a VIP consult: more time with each patient, and enough time with the surgeon, Dr. Khanna. Candidacy is decided there, and the answer may be a procedure or no surgery at all.
- VIP consult for SMILE Pro, SMILE, LASIK, EVO ICL, PIE, PRK and LASEK
- A surgery consultation, not a full eye exam
- In-office or virtual, as offered
Beverly Hills: Monday and Thursday · Westlake Village: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday · 8 AM–5 PM, last appointment 4 PM. Saturday by arrangement only: please call.
Sources
Medically reviewed by Rajesh Khanna, MD (review pending before launch). This page is educational and does not replace an exam. Eligibility, risks, benefits, alternatives and recovery are reviewed with your surgeon. Results vary.